LOCATION

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova is a small country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau. The country lies between latitudes 45° and 49° N, and mostly between meridians 26° and 30° E. The total land area is 33,851 km2 .

The largest part of the country lies between two rivers, the Dniester in the east and the Prut in the west. The western border of Moldova is formed by the Prut river that joins the Danube before flowing into the Black Sea. Moldova has access to the Danube for about 480 m through its port in Giurgiulesti. In the east, the Dniester flows through the country from north to south on the eastern border of Moldova with Ukraine.

While most of the country is hilly, elevations are not higher than 430 m– the highest point being the Balanesti Hill. Moldova's hills are part of the Moldovan Plateau, which geologically originate from the Carpathian Mountains.